‘Disgraceful': Workers slam Labor's compensation plan
The protest, led by Unions NSW on Monday, drew supporters from the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Teachers Federation, and a broad coalition of workers furious over what they say is a betrayal by the Labor government.
Protests were also held in Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga, and Newcastle as part of a co-ordinated campaign against the Exposure Workers Compensation Bill, which unions claim will gut access to compensation for psychological injuries.
Among the proposed changes is a plan to lift the permanent impairment threshold for psychological injury to 31 per cent – a move Unions NSW and the Teachers Federation say would prevent up to 95 per cent of workers from receiving damages.
There is also outrage over a proposal requiring workers alleging psychological injury caused by bullying, racial abuse, or sexual harassment to obtain a court determination before being eligible for compensation.
Sue Walton, an aged care assistant-in-nursing with more than 20 years' experience and a history of workplace injuries, attended the rally, arguing the changes would prevent people like her from accessing workers compensation.
'You'll be sitting at home without any support or any medical help through workers compensation if this Bill goes through,' she said.
'You get penalised when you're on workers comp anyway because you don't get your full wage, but now they want to take that away from every single worker. It's disgraceful.'
Retired union worker Kenneth, who spent 20 years in the manufacturing industry, said the proposed changes would undo hard-fought gains.
'To have governments breaking their pledge is not a good thing and this is a big issue for everybody,' he said.
'You have to assist workers, not cut their rights.'
He said anyone injured at work, either physically or mentally, knew how difficult it could be to access compensation.
'I've had lots of injuries in my time and it's always been a hard battle,' Kenneth said.
'We made some progress over the years and we don't need them to be stripped back; if anything, you need more help.'
Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said frustration among workers was turning to anger.
'There is a growing anger around why (the NSW government) are doing this,' he said.
Mr Morey acknowledged the Minns government had made progress in other areas but said these proposed reforms were undermining its credibility.
'These sorts of fights detract from them being seen as a positive Labor government to a government that's fighting with all its workforce,' he said.
'I think they're getting a name for themselves of always fighting with their workforce.'
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